Christopher Connelly / KERA
Some Homeless People Break Laws Just Trying to Get By
Being homeless means continually wondering what you will eat and where you will sleep at night. In some cases this means homeless people break laws by sleeping in public spaces because there isn’t room at a shelter. In Texas, community courts have been established to help homeless people manage tickets they have gotten for breaking the law. In exchange for waiving the tickets for public sleeping, they take part in community service. Listen to learn what local people are trying to do to help rather than hurt those living on the street.
Read MoreDebate: Should Panhandling Be Illegal?
A new Sacramento law makes what the city calls “aggressive panhandling” illegal. It forbids people from begging for food or money within 30 feet of a bank or ATM or outside of restaurants. Those caught breaking this law more than three times face fines and jail time. One homeless man is suing the city because he believes this rule violates his right to free speech. The city argues that it is only trying to prevent the most forceful panhandling and plans to defend the rule. Listen to this story about Sacramento’s new law and then debate: Should panhandling be illegal?
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Millions of American children do not have a home. When families are not able to afford housing, some live in homeless shelters, but there are many hardships facing students in those circumstances. Listen to this interview with an Idaho teenager and his grandmother about their experience of homelessness, how it has affected them, and how they find support in handling their daily challenges.
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Every year, volunteers from Youth Count comb the streets of Dallas looking for homeless youth. The group’s goal is to accurately count the number of young people living on the streets and collect data to help the city better meet their needs. Listen to hear a young woman describe how it felt to be homeless and discover how Youth Count aims to help end the problem.
Read MoreCURRENT EVENT | December 2, 2021
Homelessness is increasing in the U.S., and those impacted include children, teens, and young adults. A steering committee of high school students in Dallas, many of whom have experienced homelessness themselves, helped design the Fannie C. Harris Youth Center, a shelter for kids who are experiencing homelessness on their own. There are many reasons why young people may leave their families, and this center is equipped to meet their unique needs against the backdrop of inspiring decor and thoughtfully designed programming. Listen to hear more about the center and how it is addressing the needs of students who are experiencing homelessness.
Story Length: 4:47
© 2021
09/08/2021
https://app.listenwise.com/students/events/2058-a-safe-place-for-homeless-teens
Classroom Discussion Themes